Undergraduate Catalog

2006-07 Academic Year

Department of Political Science

Main Departmental Office
Wooten Hall, Room 125
P.O. Box 305340
Denton, TX 76203-5340
(940) 565-2276

Web site: www.psci.unt.edu

Political Science Advising Office: Wooten Hall, Room 141
(940) 565-2310
International Studies Advising Office: Wooten Hall, Room 129
(940) 891-7330
Fax: (940) 565-4818

James Meernik, Chair

Faculty

Professors: Booth, Forde, Mason, Poe. Associate Professors: Books, Cox, Enterline, King, Meernik, Paolino, Reban, Ruderman, Sahliyeh, Todd. Assistant Professors: Battista, Clough, Ditslear, Eshbaugh-Soha, Greig, Kang, Maeda, Oldmixon, Watson. Lecturer: Meaders.

Introduction

Department courses meet the needs of both undergraduate and graduate students preparing to enter national, state and local government employment; public and private foreign service; law; politics; public and private research; writing and reporting of public affairs and political science; and government and social science teaching.

Pre-Law Information

UNT annually prepares many students to enter law schools. No prescribed program of courses has been found to be key for a successful law career. A grade point average of 3.5 or higher will be competitive for admission to a nationally recognized school, but a minimum of 3.1 is suggested to apply for admission to law school. While many students undertake a liberal arts degree, law schools place important emphasis on the diversity of their student body and seek persons from different backgrounds, including the natural sciences. Consequently, there is no pre-law program of courses; students may select any major or minor.

Future law school students should take courses that emphasize writing and oral skills, research into problems facing society, logical reasoning, the American legal system and Constitutional Law. Pre-law students should take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) during the summer before or fall term/semester of their Senior Year. For further advice, students should consult early in their career (sophomore or Junior Year) at UNT with the pre-law advising office in GAB, Room 220. E-mail: prelaw@unt.edu.

Political Science Requirement

The university may not award a baccalaureate degree or a lesser degree or academic certificate unless the student has completed 6 hours of credit in American government that include consideration of the Constitutions of the United States and Texas. The university may determine that a student has met the requirement in whole or in part on the basis of credit transferred from another accredited college or upon successful completion of an advanced standing examination. Completion of 12 semester hours of upper division ROTC courses may be substituted for PSCI 1050. The student may satisfy part (3 hours) or all of the 6-hour political science requirement by credit through examination.

Programs of Study

The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the following areas:

• Bachelor of Arts,
• Master of Arts,
• Master of Science, and
• Doctor of Philosophy, all with a major in political science.

Concentrations under the political science major are available at the master’s and doctoral levels in American government and public law, international politics, comparative government and politics, political theory and methodology, and public administration and management.

Study Abroad Programs

The Department of Political Science is home to several study abroad programs. Students may participate in the summer study program in London, where courses on British politics, European politics and terrorism have been taught. Students also meet with members of the British Parliament, key leaders of British political parties, and cabinet ministers. The summer program in The Hague, Netherlands, brings students to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia where they study international law and attend sessions of the court. Students also meet with judges, members of the prosecutor’s office and other top officials. Other study abroad programs in the Czech Republic and in Taiwan will be available soon. Check with the department for program schedules.

Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Political Science

Degree Requirements

1. Hours Required and General/College Requirements: A minimum of 128 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree as specified in the “General University Requirements” in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Arts and Sciences requirements.

2. Major Requirements: 31 hours in political science: PSCI 1040 and either PSCI 1050 or 1060, 2300, any political theory course and 18 other hours, including at least one advanced course in each of three of the listed areas of study (not including political theory). Advanced courses are offered in six areas of study.

Field A, American Government and Politics: PSCI 3010, 3100*, 3110, 3120, 3130, 3160, 3420, 4020, 4100, 4120, 4140 and 4450.

Field B, Public Law: PSCI 3200, 3210, 4200, 4210, 4220 and 4810.

Field C, Political Theory and Methodology: PSCI 3300, 3310, 3320, 4320 and 4330*.

Field D, Public Policy: PSCI 3420, 4130, 4450 and 4490.

Field E, Comparative Government and Politics: PSCI 3600, 3700*, 4630, 4640, 4650, 4660, 4700, 4710 and 4720.

Field F, International Relations: PSCI 3500, 3810, 4520, 4800, 4810, 4820*, 4821, 4822, 4823, 4824, 4825, 4830, 4840, 4850 and 4860.

Courses listed in more than one area of study may be counted toward the requirements of only one area.

*May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

3. Electives: See four-year plan.

Bachelor of Arts with a Major in International Studies

Degree Requirements

1. Hours Required and General/College Requirements: A minimum of 128 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree as specified in the “General University Requirements” in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Arts and Sciences requirements.

2. Major Requirements: Majors need 36 hours from the list of approved courses below, including 21 hours in one of the areas listed below and 15 in one or two of the remaining five areas. Some courses (e.g., PSCI 4900, Special Topics) may be repeated for credit as topics vary and if the subject is appropriate. Twelve of the 21 hours of the primary area must be in advanced courses.

Area 1, International Politics and Diplomacy: Students who select International Politics and Diplomacy as their primary area of concentration must complete 21 hours as listed below:

• 9 hours from AECO 4120; PSCI 3500, 3810, 4520, 4800, 4810**, 4821, 4822, 4850, 4860*.
• 6 hours from HIST 1060, 3720, 4360, 4790, 4800, 4840.
• 6 hours from the above approved courses within International Politics and Diplomacy.

Area 2, International Business and Economics: Students who select International Business and Economics as their primary area of concentration must complete 21 hours as listed below:

• ECON 1110 and MGMT 3720.
• 15 hours from ACCT 4420**; BCIS 4720**; BUSI 1340, 4660; BLAW 4480**; ECON 4100**, 4510**, 4600**, 4850**; FINA 4500**; LSCM 3960**, 4530**; MKTG 2650, 4280**, 4620**, 4810**; MGMT 3880, 4210**, 4660; PSCI 4860.

Area 3, International Development: Students who select International Development as their primary area of concentration must complete 21 hours as listed below:

• 6 hours from ANTH 2150; ECON 4600; PSCI 4660; SOCI 4160, 4750.
• 15 hours from the following sub-areas with at least 6 hours from each sub-area list below:
  a. Political Economy: ANTH 4610* (when taught as “Political Anthropology”); EADP 4040; ECON 4100; PSCI 4860; GEOG 3010.
  b. Social and Environmental: ANTH 2035, 2045, 4010, 4050, 4610* (when taught as “Migrants and Refugees” or as “Race and Ethnic Identity”); ECON 4440**; GEOG 1170, 4120; PHIL 2500, 4700**; SOCI 2010, 2070, 3300**, 4260*, 4750; WMST 2420, 4260.

Area 4, Regional Studies: Students who select Regional Studies as their primary area of concentration must complete 21 hours as listed below:

• 6 hours from ANTH 2100 or 2150; GEOG 1200; HIST 1050, 1060; PHIL 2070; PSCI 3600, 3700, 4720.
• 6 hours from ANTH 3100*; GEOG 1200, 3750; HIST 4340, 4350, 4580, 4590; PHIL 3585**, 3595**; PSCI 3700, 4710; SOCI 4260* (when taught as “Social Welfare in West Africa”).
• 6 hours from one of the following regions:
  a. Europe and Latin America: GEOG 4030; HIST 4060, 4100, 4190, 4260*, 4300; ANTH 3100* (when taught as “Mesoamerica and Latin America”).
  b. Asia including South Asia and the Far East: ANTH 3100 (when taught as “Oceana and Pacific and Far East,” “Southeast Asia,” or “South Asia”); GEOG 1200; HIST 4260*, 4550, 4560, 4570; PHIL 3585**, 3595**.
  c. Middle East and Africa: GEOG 3750; HIST 4580, 4590; ANTH 3100* (when taught as “Middle East” or “Africa”); PSCI 4710, 4824; SOCI 4260* (when taught as “Social Welfare in West Africa”).
• 3 hours from HIST 4110, 4260*; PHIL 2070; PSCI 4630, 4640, 4660, 4700 (when taught as “Political Corruption,” “Enemies of Democracy” or “European Integration”), 4720; SOCI 4260* (when taught as “Sociology of Religion”).

Area 5, Security Studies: Students who select Security Studies as their primary area of concentration must take 21 hours as listed below:

• National Security – 6 hours from AECO 4980 (when taught as “Hostage Negotiation”); ANTH 4610* (when taught as “Migrants and Refugees” or as “Sociocultural Aspects of Terrorism” or if topic deemed appropriate); CJUS 4870*/** (when taught as “Understanding Terrorism”); EADP 3010, 4040**, 4090**; PSCI 4700* (when taught as “Terrorism in Europe” or if topic deemed appropriate); SOCI 4260* (when taught as “Sociology of Disaster”).
• Military History – 6 hours from HIST 4070, 4260* (when taught as “Aviation in Peace and War,” “World War I,” or courses on the Korean and Vietnam wars), 4350, 4650, 4660.
• International Conflict – 3 hours from PSCI 4630, 4640, 4821, 4825.
• 6 hours from the above approved courses in Security Studies.

Area 6, Peace Studies: Students who select Peace Studies as their primary area of concentration must take 21 hours as listed below:

• PSCI 3500
• 3 hours from each of the following three sub-areas:
  a. Determinants of Violence: ANTH 4610; HIST 4260; PSCI 3100, 4640, 4700, 4820, 4821, 4825.
  b. Conflict Management: AECO 4000, 4120; COMM 3320; PSCI 4822; HIST 4260*.
  c. Issues of Justice: ANTH 2035, 4050; ECON 3150; HIST 3150, 4260*, 4440, 4450, 4780; PSCI 3100*, 4210, 4490*/**, 4520, 4630, 4660, 4800, 4810**, 4823, 4824; SOCI 3330**, 4160, 4540**.
• 9 hours from the approved courses in the three sub-areas above or from: AECO 4420**; PSCI 3810; SOCI 4750; ENGL 4800 (when taught as “Literature and the Holocaust”).

Students are strongly encouraged to take internships to fulfill part of the 9 elective hours. Courses listed in more than one field may be counted toward the requirements of only one field.

*May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

**Consult course description regarding necessary prerequisites.

3. Other Course Requirements: 6 upper-division hours in a foreign language or BCIS 2610 and DSCI 2710.

4. Minor: Optional.

5. Electives: See four-year plan.

Degree Plans

During the Sophomore Year of enrollment, the student should make a degree plan. The student must bring or send all transcripts of prior college work, if any, to the departmental adviser, with whom an advisory sheet is made. Transcripts and advisory sheets are then taken to General Academic Building, Room 220, for the completion of the degree plan. The process should be completed in time for the next registration period.

Minor in International Studies

A minor in international studies requires 18 hours, including at least 6 advanced hours chosen from a multidisciplinary list of courses available in the Department of Political Science. Nine hours must be in one area of concentration, with the 9 remaining hours distributed between one or two other areas. See international studies major for areas and courses.

Minor in Peace Studies

Students wishing to obtain a minor in peace studies must complete a minimum of 18 hours (6 advanced), including PSCI 3500 plus at least one course from each of these three areas:

• Determinants of Violence: PSCI 4640, 4821, 4825; or, when topic is appropriate, ANTH 4600, 4610, HIST 4260, PSCI 3100, 4700 or 4820.
• Conflict Management: AECO 4000, 4120; COMM 3320; PSCI 4822 or HIST 4260.
• Issues of Justice: ANTH 2035, 4050; ECON 3150; HIST 3150, 4440, 4450, 4780; PSCI 4210, 4520, 4630, 4800, 4810, 4823, 4824; SOCI 3300, 4160, 4540; or, when topic is appropriate, HIST 4260, PSCI 3100, 4490 or 4820.

Any of the following courses may also be taken to fulfill the remaining 6 hours: AECO 4420; HIST 4070, 4260, 4350, 4650, 4660; PSCI 3810; or SOCI 4750. Practicums and special problems courses may also apply if approved by the Director of Peace Studies. Interested students should contact Dr. David Mason, Department of Political Science, Wooten Hall, (940) 565-2386.

Minor in Political Science

A minor in political science requires 18 hours: PSCI 1040 and 1050, plus 12 semester hours that include 6 advanced.

Graduate Degrees

The department offers degree programs leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Undergraduates who anticipate political science graduate study should take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) during their Senior Year. For information, consult the Graduate Catalog.

Pender Scholars

The department annually awards two $1,000 scholarships based on merit to incoming students (fall term) who declare their intention to major in political science. The awardees are known as Pender Scholars in honor of the first chair of the political science department, J.W. “Dad” Pender.

High school seniors must rank in the top quarter of their class and have a score of at least 1100 recentered on the SAT I (or its equivalent). Transfer students must have a 3.5 grade point average and a score of at least 1100 recentered on the SAT I (or its equivalent). Application deadline is August 30; awards are announced September 15. Contact the undergraduate adviser in Wooten Hall, Room 141, for more information.

Courses of Instruction

All Courses of Instruction are located in one section at the back of this catalog.

Course and Subject Guide

The “Course and Subject Guide,” found in the Courses of Instruction section of this book, serves as a table of contents and provides quick access to subject areas and prefixes.

Date of initial release: July 1, 2006  —  Copyright © 2006 University of North Texas
Page updated: June 15, 2006 — Comments or corrections: catalog@unt.edu

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